Ceiling Tiles and Interior Design

Modern interior design has taught us that our homes and offices no longer need to be boring, white-walled live-in boxes with little or no interesting features. Floor plans now allow for wide open living areas, highlighted by sizzling wall colors and elaborately matched furniture. Shiny metallic
appliances are commonplace in the kitchen, and granite counter tops bring high design to food preparation areas.

But what about the ceiling? Throughout history, the ceiling has been everything from the inspiring force in a design to a forgotten element in the building, and right back again. It has been home to some of the worlds greatest works of art and architecture, but also to mere sheetrock and cobwebs.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's, American ceilings saw a rise in the use of stamped metal ceilings and beautiful gold leaf coffered ceilings such as those seen in San Francisco apartment buildings and elsewhere. However, in recent years the ceiling has lost the attention of designers and
builders. For so long now the ceiling has been merely a footnote to the design process, a place to hang lighting.

Recently, however, we have seen a change in the design world. Beginning in the 1950's, there was a significant rise in the use of suspended ceilings, both in commercial space and in homes. Years later, people are moving into these areas and finding old, stained and broken tiles that need
replacing. The rush to replace these tiles has people looking all over for better looking substitutes, and it is because of this that the ceiling tile industry has seen many new alternatives in recent years. As these new alternatives are being developed, other ceiling tile types are experiencing
a revival as well. Stamped metal ceiling tiles, acoustic tiles, glue up plastic tiles and drop plastic tiles are all easily found on the web, and there are thousands of options for any type of ceiling.

As these new and revived styles are being installed, more and more people are realizing the potential of the "5th wall" as a great place to add significant design elements to a room or building interior. The look and feel of a room can be turned around completely with the addition of an ornate or
modern tile, a subtle or bold color scheme.

Commercial spaces can offer a bold and enticing lobby or foyer space with a more elaborate looking and brightly colored tile, while making a more comfortable space for employees with simple designs and soft, reflective colors in office areas.

Residential basements can be transformed from laundry and storage areas to game rooms and home theaters with little more than a carpet and ceiling tiles.

The wide selection of ceiling tiles now available is a blessing to anyone interested in the interior design of their home or commercial space. Talk to the folks at your local Home Improvement store to see what they have available. Google
"ceiling tiles" for a veritable cornucopia of options and information.

Whatever you do, though, don't just go for the first thing you see. Dig around, because there are finally some real options!

Guiding Principle #5: Be humorous. Even ceiling tiles can be entertaining.